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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

CorporatiOiTi 


23  WSf :  MAIN  STRKT 

WIBSTCft.N.Y.  MSaO 

(716)  873-4503 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  canadier  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  b^!ow. 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mAthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


□   Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


n 


D 
D 

n 
n 


Couverture  endommag^e 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pelliculie 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 


Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serr^e  pei«t  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int^rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout6es 
lors  d'une  lestauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  Atait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6x6  film^es. 


D 

D 


n 

n 
n 


Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaur6es  et/ou  pelliculdes 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  d^color^es,  tachetdes  ou  piquies 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d6tach6es 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Qualit^  in6gale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  matdriel  supplementaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensuie  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuiliet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6x6  film6es  d  nouveau  de  fapon  6 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


D 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl^mentaires: 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  i'i\m6  au  taux  de  rMuction  indiquA  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

7 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Library  of  the  Public 
Archives  of  Canada 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  iegibiiity 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  In  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  rnd  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  Illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — »•  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  y  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  tr  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  Illustrate  the 
method: 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grdce  d  ia 
g^ntrositi  de: 

La  bibliothdque  des  Archives 
pubiiques  du  Canada 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
de  la  nettet6  de  l'exemplaire  fllm6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  ia  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprlmie  sont  fiimds  en  commengant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impresslon  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  fiim^s  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernlAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symbols  y  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmte  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  11  est  film6  d  partir 
de  Tangle  suptrieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  drohe, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
iilustrent  ia  mithode. 


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PREAT-BRITAIN  with  AMERICA, 


TRANSLATED  FROM  THB  FRENCH* 


.  ^^nic  rumkna  dies  et  ineludlabile  tempus. 

*      "-  ViRO. 


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P    H    r  L    AD    E    L    P    H    I    A: 

l^iiiNTHD    BY    JAMES    HUMPHREYS.    junio»| 


IM    Front-Street. 


KtOCQfLXXt. 


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ADVERTISEMENT. 


GR  E  A  T  -  B  R I T  A I  N's  unhappy  c^ifpntes'  wi'tfj- 
the  Engjifh  iVipericari  colonics  pl^im  ?in.d  en- 
^r^e  a  large  fhare  qf  the  pubhc  attention.  The 
qvieftiQn  feems  to  be,  whether  immppfe  i^yipbers  of 
Eng^iJOh  fubjefts,  Hying  in  reippte  regions,  who  have 
hitherto  participateid  of  the  bleilinef  pf  th,e  Enghfh 
copftitutiop  to  which  they  are  ibdifpi^tal^ly  intitled^ 
(bou)d  be  taxed  by  any  ipan  or  what  i^  fhe  fame 
thing  afiy  body  of  men,  with  refpea  to  whom  they 
Jiave  no  right  of  ekftion,  np  power  of  eontroi;!  ? 
*JhJs  quelligri  hath  been  long  a^itafec},  within  the 
WaJIs  of  the  Sepate-houfe  anjd  withqut  doors ;  in  4 
Variety  of  fljapes,  on  4  variety  of  grounds ;  with  great 
^cytepefs  and  Bo  littje^ciimony  op  all  hands.  /L 
coRteft  fo  jiDportant  ip  it^  nature,  (p  dpcifive  in  its 
qopfeqiiences,  i^nufl  naturally  warn)  or  eycn  inOarpe 
)he  ^^ijids  of  thofe  who  are  inte|:^fte.d  in  its  fate. 
JEverv  fubje£):  of  |he  Britifli  cnjpjre;  who  thinks  or 
who  feels  mull  tal^e  ^  fiide.  At  fuch  a  Gfifts  it  cannot 
be  impertinent  to  Ir^y  before  the  public  the  fentiipents 
pf  ^  difpafl)o,nate  foreigner  on  Jthe  fiibjeft.  0f  no 
party,  lie  ff^^y  be  .^cJlT^itted  ^§  a  faif  umpirp  ;  and  if 
^y^j^ed  in  Oj^hpjr  refpe^s,  if  poffcITed  of  adequate 
ii^Wims  ^1x4  i^fori^aiion,  .^s- decifig.n ,  11^11^ .  l\ave 
Vfiightt      '   ■    ~     ■"     ■  ■"'■  ''  ^        • 

T  ^  p  s  jE  ponfijdef^tipQs  account,  for  .this  little  pub- 
^atipfli  of  ;^n  extrpii  f^pm  L  Jiijlqrie  pjiilojophi^iie  et 
politique  des  etabiiffements  ft  4y>  f^infui^T'c^  dts  Eurbpeens . 
dum  les  deux  Indes.  A  valuable  work  aitributed  to 
the  Ai)ba  Rey^icl  j  tp  wbpfe  ^thority  a  kind  of 
fanftion  hath  been  given  by  its  being  quoted  as  to  a , 
certain  point  (if  the  news-papers  ire  to  be  aedited) 
by  a  nople  Lord  high  in  office.     It  would  be  hard? 

A  2  then. 


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C     iv    3 

tncn  to  deny  its  weight  in  other  matters  equally  "within 
his  competency.  But  authority  is  a  dangerous  thing ; 
truth  needs  not,  difdains  its  proteftion ;  its  wings  ferve 
but  to  (helter  error.  Let  principles,  let  fads,  let 
argument  fpeak. 

The  writer  along  with  uncommon  talents  is 
furnilhed  with  fmgular  information.  No  poflible 
meafure  of  thefe  however  can  be  fuppofed  totally  to 
exempt  a  man  from  error  Some  miflakes  and  in- 
accuracies will  be  found  even  in  this  ihort  extraft. 
They  will  be  forg^iven  when  it  is  confide  red  that  the 
author's  fituation  is  diftant,  and  that  the  fubjeft,  co- 
pious and  complicated  in  itfelf,  is  not  fingly  and 
profeffedly  difcuffed,  but  merely  in  the  courfe  of  a 
large  and  comprehenfive  work.  It  was  once  intended 
to  have  pointed  out  a  few  inftances  of  this  fort  which 
occur;  but  as  thefe  muft  readily  be  detefted  by  the 
attentive  and  intelligent  reader,  and  as  they  do  not 
affe6l  the  author's  reafbning  or  conclufions,  this  was 
on  fecond  thoughts  looked  on  as  a  fuperfluous  labour. 
The  tranflator  hath  contented  himfelf  with  aiming  at 
fidelity  and  exaftnefs ;  even  fo  far  as  to  imitate  the 
manner  of  the  original,  which  is  in  general  (hort 
and  fententious. 

The  fecon'!  edition,  printed  in  1773,  has  been 
made  ufe  of.  It  is  fcarce  neceflary  to  add  that  thefe 
obfervations  where  of  courfe  prior  to  the  accumulated 
violences  of  the  late  Parliament.  *But  it  is  eafy  ^o 
conjefture  what  the  Abba's  fcntiments  muft  be  with 
refpeft  to  thefe  and  fome  later  proceedings,  the  po- 
litical turpitude  of  which  can  onlj^^'c  equalled  by 
their  unexampled  barbarity. 

mi 


Dii  meliora  piis»  erroremque  holtibus  Ulum ! 


March  17,    177J.    )>'ni-^.^^ -,.  j _.,-,, ,  ,, 


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SENTIMENTS 


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^Wz^orii'.  ,•  ij  -■!?  "OF       A     •  "'    '  "'  '-'■^'  —  '^'''  - 

FOREIGNER,    Sec' 


:y^mif'\ii^^'  ,1"' 


THE  firft  Colonifts  who  peopled  Iforth- 
America,  devoted  themfclvcs,  in  the 


".■:-..  1'.-  gi:.  '■j^ 

beginning,  entirely  to  agriculture.  They  foon  perceived 
that  their  exports  did  by  no  means  enable  them  to  pur- 
chafe  what  they  ftood  in  need  of,  and  they  found  them- 
felves  obliged  to  attempt  fome  coarfe  manufa<^res»  This 
innovation  was  thought  to  claih  with  the  intercfts  of  the 
mother-country.  It  was  complained  of  to  Parliament,^ 
where  it  was  difcufs'd  with  all  the  attention  it  deferved. 
There  wanted  not  member^  bold  enough  to  defend  the 
caufe  of  the  Colonifts.  They  urged,  that  as  the  labour 
of  the  fields  could  not  give  conftant  employment  to  the 
inhabitants  throughout  the  year,  it  would  be  rank  ty- 
ranny to  force  them  to  wafte  in  inaftion  that  portion 
of  their  time,  which  the  foil  did  not  demand }  that  as 
what  they  earned  by  agriculture  and  hunting  was  not 
commenfurate  to  their  wants,  to  prevent  their  fupply- 
ing  the  deficiency  by  a  new  fpecies  of  induftry,  was  to 
bind  wretchednefs  upon  them}  in  fine,  that  the  prohi- 
bition of  manufa^res  had  a  direct  tendency  to  raife  the 


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prieo  vf  geo49  in  an  infant  ftat«,  ta  diminiOi  if  net  to* 

ially  obftr\ift  the  fale  of  them,  and  tp  4ircour3ge  fiew 
fcttler*. 

The  evidence  of  thefe  principles  was  incontrovertible. 
It  prevailed  after  very  yarm  debates.  The  Americaris 
were  permiXed  to  manufi^ure. their  own  clQathiog,  but 
under  fuch  reftriftions,  as  betrayed  the  reludlance  of  an 
avaricious  fpirit  thro'  an  exterior  of  equity.  All  com- 
munication in  this  refpe£t  amongft  the  provinces  was  fe- 
verely  interdifted.  They  were  forbid,  under  heavy  pe- 
nalties, to  fend  from  one  to  another  any  kind  of  wool, 
eithet  raw  or  Wrought.  '  Scune  jnaniifaftlirqrt  of  hats 
however  broJce  thro' thefe  barkers.  To  put  a  ftop  to 
this  terrible  diforder,  as  it  was  called,  Parliament  had 
recourfe  to  the  expedient  of  regulations,  at  once  little  and 
crueU  .  .  No  workman,  poijld-  e jej,- cifiP  his  trade  till  after 
an  appriinticeiHip  of  feven  ydars  ;  no  mazier  was  aUew«(i 
jto  have  more  than  two  apprentices  at  ^  time,  or  to  em- 
ploy any  flave  in  his  work-houfe,. 

The  mines  of  iron,  v?hlch  one  would  thiflk  might  a!K 
folve  men  from  all  dependency,  were  fubjed^ed  to  reftric- 
tions  ftill  more  fever?.  It  could  only  be  exported  to  the 
mother-country  in  the  rude  form  of  pigs  or  bars,  with-i 
out  furnaces  to  caft,  n^aebines  to  |i)oulc),  or  fledges  apd 
anvils  to  forge  it.  The  converting  it  into  fteel  was  yet 
more  peremptorily  prohibited. 

Their  importations  were  hampered  with  a  variety  pf 
fhackles.  Np  foreign  veffel,  unlefs  it  be  in  evident  dan- 
ger of  fliip-wreck,  or  loaded  with  bullion,  C4n  enter  any 
of  the  ports  in  North-Ajncrica.  Even  EngliOi  ^fhip?)  ^rc 
not  admitted  if  they  come  dire£lly  frorn  a  harbour  of  the 
nation.  The  merchantmen  of  the  Colonies  trading  to- 
Europe,  muft  bring  no  commodities  back  with  «^em,  buf 
what  have  been  purchafed  from  the  capital,  excepj  th^ 
Wines  of  Madeira  and  the  Azores ;  and  what  Calt  is  ne.- 
cdrai7  for  the  fifheries. 

■  * »  Formerly 


{    7     > 


'"'<^ 


Formerly  all  their  exports  were  to  touch  at  Engladd. 
Weightjr  cooiiderations  have  fince  difpofed  government 
to  relax,  a  little  of  this  exceffive  rigour^  The  Colonies 
are  now  permitted  to  tarry  direfily  t»  the  Southward  o£ 
Capc-Flniftere)  grain,  flovr,  rice,  pvlAe,  fruit,  falt>fi{h» 
planks  and  timber.  All  their  Other  produ^d  go  exclii«> 
lively  to  the,mother-couata7.  Even  Ireland,  which  of* 
fer'd  an  advantageous  out4cf  tp  the  wh«at>  dax,  ^d 
lumbor  of  the  Colonies,  w^  ihut  up  by  an  a^  of  Par> 
liament  in  1766. 

The  fenate  which  reprefont;  the  DatioA)  inAftd  on  the 

right  of  direfting  commerce  through  all  the  vaft  Extent  <rfE: 

the  firiljiih  4oniinioag.      Qn' thisr  principle  it  aflumes  the 

power  of  regulating  the  co>|c^e^i0i|s  l^etween  the  capital- 

^nd  the  Colonies,  of  maintaifii^g  a  communication,  a- 

beneficial  and  reciprocal  i'e«&^iQB,  afnoQ$,ft  the  fcattcrft 

ed  pai-fs  of  aq  jmmenfe  empir!e<     In  fa^,  fome  one  pow-: 

fr  ought  tQ  4€)t6rmii:>e,  in  tiktt  la(l:  Jl'ejurt^  ott  theft;  rel«« 

tivc  circumftances  which  qnay  ifijurc  cnr  promO*^  the  jgef 

neral  good  qf  the  whole  Jyftem,     Parliament  «lo*e  ca«i 

tlaim   this  tranfce«daHt.jj>i9er<)gatite.  ,,  But,  Pa^'Hament 

liiould  ^^3^ercire_  it  tp  tl%e.  I^utu&il  <ad!^antage  ,of  all  the 

wxembers  ^f  the  fo^cjial  efopfedefcafey*     This  mixiBl  falwayt 

inviolable,  is  pecuKarly  fo  iji.a  ftate>  the  movements  06 

which  :have  been  all  -ini^i,»Hed  and  lidjuftid,  with  a  rpe«. 

cial  vieiv  to  national  libef.ty  a:  i-^-T-ji     ■-  ;,  Ir..:  ,T~z.v:q  c; 

6u(  -they  deputed  fri>m  this  f  re^  prtJKiple  of  impar*: 

tialhy,  whkh   alone  can-  pre^ci^ve   an-  eqtHalhy  of  hnde^. 

pendance  among   the  members   of  a  free  goveinment, 

when  they  obliged  the  Colonies  to  pour  into  the  capital 

all  their  produ^s,  even  thofe  whkh  wete  not  to  be  con<« 

fun:ed  in  it  j  when  th^  forced  them  to  take  from  the 

capital   all   their  merchandize,  even  thoie  which  wci**- 

brought  into  it  from  fpreign  nations.     This  imperious 

and  fterile  conftraint,  loading  the  faks  and  purchafcs  o£ 

the  Americaos  with  uiekfs  ohAtgca,  t  mere  dead  lois^ 

r>-,  ,  which 


71 


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i^* 


■  -■  > ' 


t^rKicK  hatli  naturally  and  niceflarily  checked  their  aftU 
vUy,  and  of  courfc  hurt  their  circumftanccs  ;  and  it  is 
purely  to  enrich  feme  merchants  or  fome  brokers  of  the 
capital,  that  the  rights  and  interefts  of  the  Colonies  are 
facrificed.  Yet  they  owed  nothing  more  to  Englattd  for 
the  proteftlon  (he  had  afR)rded  them,  than  a  preferenec 
in  the  fale  and  importation  of  itieh  of  their  commodities'- 
as  fhe  could  confume  j  and  in  the  purchafe  and  expor- 
tation of  fuch  merchandifes  as  fhe  manufa^rid.  With- 
in this  line  the  fubmifHon  of  the  Colonies  was  grateful 
acknowledgement }  beyond  it  every  reftraint  was  down- 
right violence.  . .  : 

Accordingly,  Contraband  was  the  ofFsprirtg^^df  this  ty- 
ranny. Tranfgreffion  is  the  firft  efFe£k  of  iniqtiitirtis  laws^ 
wherever  defpotifm  hath  not  trampled  on  coaes,  formf 
and  tribunals;  fole  ramp'tMrt,  legitimate  and  facred  of  that 
independency  which  is  the  birth-right  of  man.  In  vain 
were  the  Colonies  told  a  hundred  and  a  hundred  Mmest 
that  fmuggling  was  contrary  to  the  fundamental  principle 
of  their  eiVablifhment,  to  ptilitibal  wifdom,  to  tile  expreHr 
intent  of  the  laws.  In  vain  was  it  proved  in  a  Variety  of 
publications  that  the  citi2en  who  paid  the  duties'  Was  op- 
prefTed  by  the  one  who  did  not,  and  that  the  fraudulent 
trader  robb'd  the  fair  merchaUt,  by  difappointing  him  of 
his  lawful  profits.  In  vain  were  precautions  multiplied 
to  prevent,  and  chaftifements  to  punifh,  fuch  tranrgref^^ 
fions.  The  voice  of  intereft,  of  rdafon,  of  cquhy,  was 
an  overmatch  for  the  hundred  mouths  and  the  hundred 
paws  of  the  revenue-hydra.  Foreign  comrrtoditics,  fmug- 
gled  into  the  northern  part«  of  Englifh- America,  amount- 
ed to  a  full  third  of  what  paid  the  duties. 

A  freedom  of  trade  undefined,  or  only  reftraincd 
within  juft  bounds,  would  put  a  ftop  to  thefe  illicit  prac- 
tices which  excite  fuch  an  outcry.  Then  would  the  Co- 
lonies attain  that  meafure  of  affluence,  which  would  en- 
able them,  aot  only  to  ihakc  oflf  the  weight  of  four  mil- 

Uops 


AT 


-•■*fi5. 


:lr  afti- 

nd  it  is 

I  of  the 

rules  are 

a  red  for 

fercntfc 

lodhies" 

tttpor- 

With- 

^ateful 

down- 

'this  ty- 
tislawst, 
,  forms 
blfthat 
In  vain 
d  t5me< 
irinciple 
cxprefir 
1  iety  of 
was  opo 
udulent 
him  of 
iltiplied 
infgref* 
tyi  was 
undred 
,  fmug- 
nount- 

trained 
t  prac- 
heCo- 
ild  en- 
r  mil- 
liop 


(    9    ) 

lions  Sterlings  which  they  owe  the  mother-conn  try,  but 
to  take  from  her  annually  upwards  of  two  millions  woith 
of  merchandizes,  which  their  prefcnt  couiiimprion  de- 
mands. But  in  place  of  this  plcaUng  pcrlpccTtive,  wiiich 
ihould  naturally  arifc  out  of  the  Liiglilh  conftitution,  by 
what  fatality  is  it  that  a  claim  unwarrantable  in  a  free 
ftate,  hath  carried  under  the  harlh  form  of  taxation  Into 
the  centre  of  the  Colonies,  a  root  of  trouble  and  diiTui- 
fion,  perhaps  a  conllagrajion  by  n  j  means  fo  eafiiy  tx- 
tinguiihcd  as  lighted  lip?  ;  j  „r,orf  {rjiiiir. 

England  had  juft  concliuicd  a  war,  which  might  be 
called  a  univerfal  one,  in  the  coiirf'e  of  which  her  ilects 
had  hoifted  the  flag  of  vi(flory  in  evtiy  fea,  while  her  con- 
quefls  had  enlarged  her  dominipns  by  an  immenr*"  acqui- 
fition  of  territory,  in  both  the  Indies.  This  fuddcn  and 
unexpefted  growth  gave  her  a  brilliancy  in  the  eyes  of 
othuT  nations,  which  made  envy  and  admiration  fpealc, 
or  aftonilhcd  them  into  iilence;  yet  v^ithin  herfeif  flu;  was 
compelled  to  mourn  inccflantly  over  her  fplcndid  tri- 
umphs. Crufh'd  by  the  preflure  of  a  debt  of  one 
hundred  and  forty  eight  millions,  the  intcreft:  of  which 
amounted  to  four  millions  nine  hundred  and  fixty  three 
If  thoufind  four  hundred  and  forty  four  pounds,  with  a  ^ 
revenue  of  ten  millions  fhc  cou'd  fcarcely  provide  for  tlie 
current  expences  of  the  rtate;  and  this  revenue,  without 
a  chance  of  increafe,  was  in  danger  of  finking.    .,   • 

The  Land-tax  was  rated  higher  than  it  had  ever  been 
in  time  of  peace.  New  duiies  on  Houfes  and  Windows 
injured  that  kind  of  property;  an  augmentation  of  re- 
venue on  the  regiftry  of  deeds,  bore  heavy  on  real  efbates. 
The  veins  of  luxury  had  been  exhaufted  by  additional 
taxes  on  wrought  plate,  cards,  dice,  wine  and  ardent 
fpirits.  Nothing  more  could  be  expeclcd  from  commerce, 
already  loaded  with  duties  in  every  port,  to  every  port,  on 
the  merchandizes  of  the  Eaft,  on  the  products  of  the  Wtft, 
oa  groceries,  on  mercery -wares,  in  a  wo;-d,  on  all  fub- 
J3  jcfts 


S;:A 


.*>*s 


(     lb     ) 


» 


11 


jt'cis  of  ex---or  importatibii,  1\'hether  raw  materials  ei 
tnaimfadlures.       The   curb  of  the  Eiiclfc   had   hap|>il;^ 
cl'.cck'd  the  abufe  of  fpirituOiis  liquOrs,  but  at  the  ejt^ 
pence  of  the  public  revenue.      A  cbmpfcrifatioh  had  bceil 
look'd  for  froiti  one  of  thofe  refoUrces  whJth  are  readil^ 
Tound,  but  not  fafely  fought,  in  the  articles  of  gehieriil 
confumption  and  greateft  neceflity:  The  excife  had  Iai<l 
hold  of  the  oi'dinai7  drink  of  the  people,  of  malt,  cydei- 
and  porter.      Every  fpring  had  been   forced.      All  tht 
mufcles  of  the  political  body  ftrain'd  at  once  to  too  viblient 
a  tenfion,  had  ftarted  from  their  places.     The  price  both 
of  materials  and   of   workmanlhip,  had    rifeh  fo  pro- 
digioufly,  that  rival  and  even  vanquifhed  nations,  Vhb 
till  then  cotild  not  withftand  the  competition  of  the  Ehg- 
lilh,  were  come  the  length  of  fupplanting  them  in  all 
markets,  even  in  their  own  ports.     The  whole  of  the 
piofits  which  Great-Britain  derived  from  her  c6mmer<?e 
with  every  part  of  the  globe  could  not  be  eftimated  at 
more  than  two  millions  and  a  half}  and  out  of  this  balance 
was  to  be  deduiled  the  fum  of  one  million  five  hundred 
and  fixty  thoufand  pounds,  payable  to  foreigners  yearly 
on  fifty  two  millions  which  they  had  in  the  public  funds. 
The  crifis  was  difficult  and  dangerous.     The  Ptiople 
muft  get  leave  to  breathe.     They  could  not  be  relieved 
by  a  Icflening  of  the  public  expences.     Thefe  were  ine- 
•»'ltable,  whether  occafion'd  by  the  view  of  turning  to  ac- 
count, acquifitions  purchafed  by  fo  much  blood,  fo  much 
treafuve,  or  of  curbing  the  refentments  of  the  Houfe  of 
Bourbon  irritated  to  the  laft  degree  by  the  difgrace  of  the 
late  war,  by  the  facrificcs  of  the  late  peace.     In  the  waiit 
of  every  other  means  of  infuring  prefent  fecurlty,  and 
future  profperlty,  the  idea  fuggefted  itftlf  of  calling  in  the 
Colonies  to  the  fuccour  of  the  capital,  by  obliging  thein 
to  bear  a  part  of  it's  burthens.      A  determination  appa- 
rently foundetl  on  ii.conteftable  reafons. 

An  eftablilhed  inaxim  of  all  civil  focietles, -and «of  ^11 


il 


iM 


( 


1 1 


) 


erials  ^j^ 

t  the  ei- 
had  beeti 
•e  readily 
f  gchiersrt 

had  laid 
altj  cydci- 

All  tht 
>o  viblient 
nice  both 

io  pro- 
ons,  Who 
the  Ehg- 
:m  in  all 
)le  of  the 
:6mmerec 
hnated  At 
is  balance 
:  htindrtd 
ers  yearly 
lie  func's. 
lie  Pt^ople 
s  relieved 
were  ine-  m 
ng  to  ac-  ^ 
,  fo  much 
Houfe  of 
ace  of  the 
the  waht 
irlty,  and 
tng  in  the 
ing  theui 
on  AppA' 

ad.of  *11 


s 


^«$,  bjnJs  on  the  djffcrent  members  which  compofc  sn 
ejnpire,  an  obligation  to  contribute  to  the  cxpcnccs  of  it 
if^  prppojL'tJQii  ty  their  rqrpC(Etivc  abilities.  The  fecmity 
of  tlije  Americaij  Proy^ncts  callp  for  fuel;  aids  froia  thtm 
i\s  njay  eiiable  ihj;  m^OJther-cOiUnt^-y  to  protect  tliem  on  all 
Qcc^iiops.  It  wa?  to  deliver  them  from  lormtntiiig  dif- 
qtiijetudes,  t^at  /he  engaged  in  a  war  wh^ch  hat)l\  mu!- 
ti^Ue4  h^v  debts }  they  IhoulJ  therefore  aflifl:  her  iu 
be.*fii)g  or  i>n  leflenii}g  this  addijcional  load.  Safe  from 
tjje  ef>terprizes  pf  %.  foi-midable  neiglibour,  nov/  happily 
for  th«m  removed  tp;^  dill.vnce,  can  |thcy  without  inj'aiiic  c 
^•e.fnfe  tQ  thg  prefling  exigencies  of  th-ir  deliyerci-,  that 
ti'iC^fure  which  the  pAre  of  their  prefervation  hath  coll 
bJm?  Tl^e  enepuragewcnt?  which  jrKis  generous  protector 
gfiy.9  fo.A'  a  lengtl)  0;f  time  to  the  rich  productions  of  thdir 
foil,  the  gratuitous  adv:inces  which  he  ftill  laviihes  to 
ihoi'e  i^egion?  which  ^re  not  yet  ckarod;  fuch  and  fo 
many  good  and  kind  ofllces,  are  they  not  intitleJ  to  a 
ir^tui'n  of  cprdifil  f;  mpathy  and  eftcntial  fervice-.? 

Such  were  tl-ie  cynfiderations  which  couvlncej  the 
BritiUi  govcrnmenit  t^lut  they  had  a  right  to  lay  internal 
ijijce?  on  the  Colonics.  They  feifed  the  opportvmity  ai"- 
forded  by  thc  Ijift  W^V,  to  exhibit  a  claim  ib  da^igeroiis 
to  I'berty.  iFor  who  yvcr  attends  to  it  inuft  fee,  that  war, 
■;wh€ther  prpfpe;:ous  or  the  reverfe,  furniihes  evermore; 
j^hc  pretej^t  for  the  viu'ious  yfui^piitipns  of  govcrnmcuts, 
as  ,vf  the  ruler^j  of  bulligerant  n,itions  had  it  inlinitely 
more  a.t  heart  ;to  enflave  their  fubjeefis  than  t()  vauquiih 
-their  ei!,>e|ni0s«  The  Amerifraa  l^ruv.inces  were  accard- 
jngly  ordered  to  prpylde  the  trooops  ilnt  frcyii  the  capi  - 
tiil  for  tljeir  .d«?fepce  with  a  part  of  their  iii;ce/rarics. 
The  dread  of  ir^temvpting  that  iutcra*l  harmoirv  wrhich 
J^  fo  (jil^Hitial  in  the  midfl:  of  fv^rrounding  eucinics,  in- 
,<iuced  t^em  to  fecond  the  n4teptions  of  l\u.'liaiucm -,  but 
with  the  deep  policy  of  uki;ig  no  i^.tice  of  an  a^, 
Ajfhich  diey  could  neither  reje(5l:  without  exciting  civil  dif- 
r^'d  U   2  leuilou., 


,!, 


(       12       ) 


il 


fention,  nor  acknowledge  without  endangering  rights  too 
precious  not  to  be  tendei'ly  cheriflied.  NEW-YORK 
alone,  ventured  to  refufe  all  compliance.  Though  the 
tranfgrcffioi?  was  venial,  (he  was  puniflied  as  for  obfti- 
nate  difobeJience,  by  a  rufpenfioii  of  her  privileges. 
This  blow  given  to  the  liberty  of  one  colony  ought,  one 
would  think,  to  have  excited  the  clamours  of  all  the 
others.  Whether  through  want  of  attention  or  forc- 
Ught,  not  one  rais'd  its  voice.  Their  lilence  was  conii- 
dered  as  the  refult  of  fear  or  of  voluntary  fubmiffion. 
The  peace  which  Ihould  have  lowered  the  imppfts 
throughout  produced,  in  1764,  the  famous  Stamp-afty 
which  laying  certain  duties  on  ftampt  paper  prohibited 
at  the  fame  time  the  ufe  of  any  other,  in  any  kind  of 
deed  or  public  writing,  whether  judiciary  or  extra  judi- 
ciary. -:»;-'  ,'a  ^ 
The  whole  of  the  Englifli  Colonies  in  the  new  world 
rofe  up  againft  this  novelty  ;  and  their  difcontent  broke 
out  in  a  very  remarkable  manner.  A  kind  of  confpira- 
cy,  perhaps  the  only  kind  which  is  fuited  to  a  civilized 
and  of  courfe  moderate  people,  was  entered  into;  a  for- 
mal agreement  amongft  all  the  Colonifts  to  deprive  them- 
felves  of  all  forts  of  wares  manufactured  in  Great-Bri- 
tain, till  the  offcnfive  aft  fhould  be  repealed.  This  in- 
direct and  palRve  mode  of  reiiftance,  which  fhould  fervc 
as  a  model  to  all  nations  who  feel  themfelves  trampled 
o"  by  the  abufe  of  power,  had  its  effedt.  The  Englifh 
manufafturers  who  had  fcarce  any  other  out-let  for  their 
goods,  throughout  the  univerfe  than  the  national  colo- 
nies, fell  into  that  difpair  into  which  the  want  of  em- 
ployment muft  naturally  plunge  them  j  and  their  cries, 
which  government  could  neither  ftifle  nor  elude,  made 
an  imprcHion  falutary  for  the  colonies.  The  Stamp-aCl 
was  repealed  after  two  years  of  a  convulfive  agitation, 
which  in  the  days  of  fat^aticifoi  would  have  been  a  civil 


'f^: 


war. 


But 


(  n  ) 


But  the  triumph  of  the  Colonies  was  of  (hort  durati- 
on. Parliament  had  not  retreated  without  extreme  re- 
pugnance. It  was  evident  that  they  had  not  renounced 
their  claims,  when  in  1767,  by  way  of  equivalent  for 
what  the  Stamp-aft  was  expefted  to  have  produced,  they 
layed  a  tax  on  glafs,  lead,  tea,  painters  colours,  pafte- 
board  and  paper,  exported  from  England  to  America;: 
Even  'thofe  patriots  who  feemed  to  cany  the  fupremacy, 
of  the  capital  over  the  colonies  to  the  greateft  length, 
could  not  help  condemning  a  tax,  the  operation  of  which 
muft  ultimately  recoil  upon  the  whole  nation,  by  turn- 
ing to  manufaftures  thofe  hands  which  it  was  her  inte- 
reft  to  have  kept  confined  to  agriculture.  The  Colo- 
nifts  were  as  little  duped  by  this  innovation  as  by  the 
former  one.  In  vain  was  it  alledged  that  government 
had  an  indubitable  right  to  lay  on  exportations  what  du- 
ties they  thought  proper,  while  they  did  not  deprive 
the  colonies  of  the  liberty  of  manutafturing  for  them- 
felves,  fuch  goods  as  were  fubjedl  to  this  new  tax.  This 
fubterfuge  looked  like  a  mockei-y  in  regard  to  a  people, 
who,  habituated  to  tillage  alone  and  reftraincd  from  all 
commerce  but  with  the  mother-country,  could  neither 
procure  by  their  own  labour  nor  a  foreign  trade,  thofe 
neceflaries  which  were  fold  to  them  at  fo  high  a  price. 
They  faw  clearly  that  whether  a  duty  was  paid  in  the  old 
or  in  the  new  world,  words  could  not  alter  the  nature 
of  the  thing,  and  that  their  liberty  was  equally  attacked 
by  an  impoft  on  wares  which  they  could  not  do  without, 
as  by  a  tax  on  ftampt  paper  which  they  were  compelled 
to  make  ufe  of.  This  enlightened  people  plainly- per- 
ceived that  government  wanted  to  deceive  them,  and 
they  did  not  think  it  their  duty  to  be  impofed  on,  either 
by  force  or  cunning.  They  rightly  judged  that  the  moft 
decifive  mark  of  imbecillity  and  of  meanncfs  in  a  nation, 
muft  be  the  connivance  of  fubjefts  at  the  frauds  and  vio- 
lences employed  by  government  to  corrupt  and  cnflave 
them.  The 


t 


C    M     ) 


Ul 


Thtf  av«i*flon  which  they  expreflcd  for  thcTe  new  im- 
poiitions  di(i  qot  ar^fe  from  their  exceHIve  >veigh(,  {es-% 
ifig  they  cqvl4  not  he  ^flim^ted  at  rnpre  than  i^j^teenr 
pence  a  head.  This  v^a«  npt  an  objedl  to  flartle  a^  jq[>f^ 
menfe  pop^latioFi,  whof^  puhlic  tj^penditur*  hath  OP* 
ver  exce^4fi4  QAP  hya4rq4  p  1  fixt^  ti^j}f^94  po«*>^fl«. 
apnDaUy.     <   '    >  —     -   r      • 

It  was  n^t  the  dread  of  i^nding  th^mf^Wes  in  lei*  eafy 
circumdances.  The  H^ciirity  they  derived  f*'0^  the  cefr- 
j^ons  extorted  from  France  ;  the  ificreafe  of  ;;h/ei]r  M'«^de 
with  the  Indians,  the  ^xteniipn  of  their  whale,  cod,  ^i>4 
feal  fifheries,  the  right  to  <:tit  wood  ia  th^  \3t^y  pf  Caw- 
peachy,  the  9<cquilUiQa  of  iiindry  Sug^rw^ands,  fihe 
greater  facility  of  cari'ying  on  %n  illicit  intcrcourlie  wit^^ 
the  Spaoiih  fettlements,  to  which  tiyay  w«re  hecp^ 
nearer  neighboi^rs  (  fo  msuiy  inlet;,  of  wealth  wt^ye  9^ 
amj^e  compenfation  fpr  that  t;'itie  of  ri^v^^e  wj|u(^  gq-r 
vernmeot  wiih'd  to  draw  from  thean.  r        <> 

,.  lit  waj  not  ajQ  appr^henfion  that  the  colonics  woyld  fef 
(drained  of  nvliat  little  fpeqie  remained  i^  .circulation  4r 
mong  them*  The  pay  of  eight  thouf^i^d  four  ^yndre^ 
Regulars,  which  the  capital  maintains  ip  North- AiIWsri-» 
ca,  muft  spring  in  more  caih  th^p  this  tax  Cjovld  ppillh^ 
carry  out. 

It  wa^  i)ot  an  indifi*erenc«  for  the  p^rent-Hiadt.  T^N^ 
colonics,  fc  far  fron^  being  ugratefyl,  h^d  evidQpce4 
jTucih  zeal  for  her  interefts  during  the  laft  wzir,  that  P%Pj. 
liament  fr<>>m  a  principle  ©f  equity,  r^m^ted  thcm  vovy 
confiderable  fums,  by  way  of  reftitution  or  ind^rnnjfica-" 
*Jon.  L.u:.-:  •;.    ...  .  'i   -. .;;  •  r 

Nor  w»5  it  in  fine,  an  ignorance  of  tlue  duty  which  f\ib'' 
je^  owe,  or  of  the  obligations  which  they  ftand  uml^r 
to  government.  Had  the  colonies  nqt  thpMght  themfelyep 
bound  to  contribute  tp  the  liquidation  of  the  national 
4iebc,  though  perhaps  they  had  qccafi^^aed  the  greatcil 
tpautttf  it»  they  lp»?w  very  w§U  ih^t  |hey  were  bound  to 
;  IT  contjfibiutjc 


N. 


(  IJ  ) 


eetttribute  to  the  «*pencBs  of  th«  nary,  to  th^  maifate- 
ttbAce  bf  the  diffel-eht  eftabliihment*  ih  Africa  and  Amc* 
tica,  in  a  word  to  all  thofe  common  charges  whith  had 
t^lalion  to  their  faiftty  and  pro4'j>«i'ity,  as  well  as  to  thofe 
t>f  the  mother-country. 

If  the  new  world  t-efufed  to  fuccour  the  old,  it  was 
becaufe  that  was  exacted  which  it  weald  have  been  fuf* 
ficidnt  to  have  aflted  ;  becauie  that  muft  be  held  on  the 
-footing  of  her  Obediente>  which  fliould  have  only  been 
foiicited  fVorti  her  liberty.  Her  non^cotn|>Ilance  was 
«ot  capfice,  but  juft  jealonfy  of  htr  rights.  Rights 
which  fliould  nor,  cannot  be  contefted. 

During  the  courfe  of  two  centuries  that  the  Englifti 
have  had  fettJettients  itt  North- America,  tlieir  country 
hath  fuftalned  many  expenfive  and  bloody  wai-s,  hath 
been  diftiirbed  by  enfei'priiing  and  tumulruoxrs  Parlia- 
ments, hath  been  governed  by  dtfriag  and  corrupt  mi- 
nifters,  evdr  ready  to  eXah  the  dignity  and  prerogative 
of  the  tlirone,  on  the  ruin  of  the  rights  and  privileges 
of  the  people.  Yet,  ambition,  avarice,  failions,  ty- 
i-ariny,  fell  of  them  in  their  turns  have  recognized,  all 
h^Ve  refpe6ted  the  liberty  which  the  colonies  enjoyed  of 
laying  on  themfelves  every  tax  for  the  ^urpdfe  of  creat- 
ing a  revenue. 

A  folemn  eontt'a<fl:  fuppOrted  this  prerogative  fo  na- 
lural  in  itfelf,  and  fo  conformable  to  the  fundamental 
'end  6f  all  VeyfOnable  affociatioh.     The  colonies  might 
appeal  to  the  charters  of  t?heir  eftabliihments  which  em- 
-  jpowe'r  them  to  tax  themfelves  in  the  manner  moft  con- 
veniient  for  thein.     Thefe  eompa<Jts,  it  is  ti*ue,  were  no- 
thing more  than  conventions  with  the  crown;   but  even 
'  allowing  thit  'the  ICing  had   exceeded    his    powers   by 
gra-its  frOm  Whi(?h,  moft  certainly,  he  derived  no  pri- 
vate  emolument,  doth  not  a  lOng  poffedionj  tacitly  ^a- 
•  vowed  atid  recognised  by  tfhefiWtwe  <if  Pafiiaaaem,.foi?m 
■a  legal  ppcicrif  lion  ? 

"  The 


11 


s. 


'i 


V 


(     16     ). 


in- 

b 


■I 

tli  I' 


The  Provinces  of  the  new  world  have  titles  ftill  more 
authentic  in  their  favour.  They  infift  that  an  Englilh 
fubjeft,  no  matter  which  hemifphere  he  dwells  in,  is 
not  to  contribute  to  the  charges  of  the  ftate  but  by  his 
own  confent,  given  by  himfelf  in  perfon,  or  by  his  re* 
prefentatives.  It  was  to  defend  this  facred  privilege, 
that  the  nation  hath  fo  often  deluged  her  fields  with  her 
own  blood,  that  Ihc  hath  dethroned  her  Kings,  that  flic 
hath  excited  or  braved  ftorms  without  number.  Can 
ihe  deny  to  two  millions  of  her  children  a  blefling  which 
hath  coft  her  fo  dear,  which  perhaps  is  the  folc  bafls  of 
her  independence  ?  r 

In  oppbfition  to  the  colonies  it  is  urged  that  Catho- 
lics living  in  England,  are  excluded  from  the  right  of 
voting,  and  that  their  lands  are  fubjefted  to  a  double 
tax.  But  why,  they  anfwer,  do  the  Papifts  refufe  to 
fake  that  oath  of  allegiance  which  the  ftate  requires  ? 
rendered  by  this  fufpedled,  the  diftruft  which  they  in- 
fpire  juftifies  the  rigour  which  they  experience.  Why 
do  they  not  abjure  a  religion  fo  contrary  in  its  princi- 
ples to  the  free  conftitution  of  their  country,  fo  cruelly 
favoui'able  to  the  pretenfions  of  defpotiiin,  to  the  en- 
croachments of  royalty  on  the  rights  of  the  people  ?  Why 
this  blind  and  obftinate  attachment  to  a  church  hoftile 
to  all  others  ?  They  well  deferve  the  penalties  which  the 
government  that  confents  to  tolerate  them,  thinks  fit  to 
lay  fuch  intolerant  fubjedls  under.  But  the  inhabitants 
of  the  new  world  would  be  punifhed  without  having 
committed  an  offence,  if  they  muft  ceafe  to  be  Ameri- 
cans before  they  can  be  confidercd  as  citizens  of  the 
empire. 

With  fome  effrontery  thefe  faithful  Colonics  have 
been  told,  that  England  nouri/hes  in  her  bofom  a  mul- 
titude of  fubjedls  that  have  no  reprefentatives,  becaufe 
they  have  not  that  extent. of  property  which  is  requifite 
to  qualify  them  as  voters  for  members  of  Parliament. 

On 


h 


(     «7     > 

On  what  grounds  do  they  pretend  to  pri.ileges  greater 
than  what  the  citizens  of  the  parent-country  enjoy?  No, 
reply  the  Colonies,   we  afk  not  a  fuperiority,  we  only 
claim  an  equality  with  our  brethren.      In  Great-Britain, 
the  man  who   po^efleth   a  freehold  of  forty  lliillings 
a  year  hath  a  voice  in  taxation;    and  he  who  owns  in 
America,   immenfe  tra(n:s,  Ihall  not  have  tbe  fame  pre- 
rogative ?  No,  what  is  an  exception  to  the  law,  a  dero- 
gation from  the  general  rule  in  the  Capital,  fhould  not 
be  a  fundamental  conftitution  for  the  Colonies.     Let 
the  Englifli,  who  wifli  to  deprive  the  provinces  of  the 
T^eftern  world  of  the  exclufive  right  of  taxation,   fup- 
pofe  for  a  moment  the  Houfe  of  Commons,  no  longer 
the  creature  of  their  choice,    to  be  nothing  more  than 
an  hereditary  and  permanent  tribunal,  or  one  arbitrarily 
appointed  by  the  King ;  if  a  body  thus  conftituted  could 
levy  money  on  the  nation  at  large,  without  confulting 
the  public  opinion  or  aiking  the  general  confent,    muft 
not  the  Englifh,  on  fuch  a  fuppofition,  own  themfelves 
to  be  as  complete  flaves  as  their  neighbours?   Yet  five 
hundred  men  in  the  midft  of  feven  millions  of  fellow- 
fubje^s,  would  probably  be  kept  within  the  bounds  of 
moderation,  if  not  by  a  principle  of  equity,  by  the  well- 
founded  dread  of  the  public  indignation,  which  purfues 
the  oppreflbrs  of  a  people  even  beyond  the  tomb.     But 
the  lot  of  the  Americans,  taxed  at  the  difcrction  of  the 
fenate  of  the  capital,  would  be  hopelefs  and  forlorn  in- 
deed.    Too  remote  to  be  heard,  they  would  be  crufhed 
by  heavy  impofts  without   tie  leaft   attention   to   their 
complaints.      Even   the  tyranny  which  cruflied   them 
would  be  decorated  with  the  fair  name  of  Patriotifm. 
Under  the  pretext  of  relieving  the  mother-country,  the 
Colonies  would  be  loaded  with  impunity. 

This  frightful  profpeft  will  never  allow  them  to  part 
with  the  exclufive  right  of  taxing  themfelves.  While 
they  continue  to  regulate  the  public  levcnue,  their  in- 

C  teicftt 


f 


I 


(      I8     ) 


M 


« 


terell?  mufl  be  refpe^ed)  or  ihQul4  their  rights  be  at 
any  time  infringed,  they  will  pbuio  a  fpcedy  redreft  of  • 
t^eir  grievances.  But  their  rcmonArances  will  lofe  aU 
their  efficacy  with  goyernment,  when  they  are  no  long^f 
backed  by  the  right  of  granting  or  refuiing  their  money; 
tp  the  exigencies  of  the  ftate.  The  power  which  hath 
ufurped  the  right  of  fixing  the  impoils,  will  «afily  ufurp 
that  of  adminiftring  them.  Sole  judge  of  the  levy  it 
will  become  the  a^^biter  of  the  expenditure  j  and  funds 
deffcined,  in  appe;  nee,  to  the  fafety  of  the  people, 
will  be  employed  to  enflave  them.  Such  hath  ever  beeA 
the  folemn  pace  of  empires.  No  civil  community  hath- 
preferved  even  a  fhadanir  of  liberty,  when  it  hath  ones 
lofl  the  privilege  of  voting  in  the  fan^tion  and  promul- 
gation of  revenue  laws.  A  nation  is  for  ever  a  flave, 
when  it  no  longer  boafts  an  afiembly  or  body  of  men^ 
veAed  with  power  to  defend  its  rights  againd  the  efw 
croachments  of  the  authority  which  governs  it.  <  .^ 

The  provinces  of  Englifh  America  have  every  thing 
to  fear  with  rcfpedl  to  their  independence.  Their  un-. 
fufpe^ing  confidence  may  betray  them,  may  deliver 
them  up  bound  into  the  hands  of  the  mother-country. 
They  are  inhabited  by  an  infinity  of  plain  and  hone(^ 
people.  They  do  not  even  fufpeft  that  thofe  men  who 
hold  the  reins  of  an  empire,  may  be  carried  away  by 
paiBons  unjuil  and  tyrannical.  Their  old  country  they 
fuppofe  under  the  influence  of  no  other  than  thofe  ma-* 
ternal  fentimcnts,  which  accord  fo  well  with  her  tni^ 
interefts,  with  that  love  and  veneration  they  entertain 
for  her.  With  the  blindnefs  of  thefe  upright  citizent, 
who  indulge  fo  pleadng  an  illuflon,  coincides  the  filenc« 
of  thofe  who  thinic  they  fhould  not  didurb  their  tran* 
quility,  on  account  of  fome  light  and  trival  impoft$. 
Thefe  indolent  men  do  not  difcern  that  it  was  meant,  at 
iirft,  to  lull  their  vigilance  to  repofe  by  the  fmallnefs  of 
the  impoiition  i  that  England  only  feeks  m  example  of 
>  ..  fubmiilioa 


T""^ 


(  '9  y 

fobmfflioft,"  to  fdiirtd  *  title  on  \t\  fiitwc  ;  tKat  !f  Par- 
Hament  can  levy  one  fhrlling,  it  may  one  hlirtdrtd  thou- 
foud  i  and  that  thert  can  be  tt6  better  rcafon  for  limit- 
ing this  claiira  hereafter,  fhtn  their  is  tio\^  for  ttH^kig 
ht.  But  a  cltifs  of  men,  thi  moft  permclous  to  liberty, 
arc  thofe  ambitious  people  Who.  dlAlnltlng  their  hdppl- 
fl«?fi  Ardth  that  of  ihe  public  and  of  poiVerity,  btirn  with 
rf  deftri;  t6  au'gWvent  their  credit,  their  rank,  and  theif 
rfchei.  The  Britifli  miniftry,  from  tvhich  thefe  rtiifcrt- 
smts  have  obtainetl  or  expoft  advancement,  Aadi  thtfm 
^vtsiys  ready  to  promote  thcfr  deteftable  fcheme*,  by 
bRc  contagion  o'f  thelt^  htiury  and  of  their  vices,  by  the 
tfraft  of  their  ii^flha.ttions,  b^  the  irtlldious  pliancy  of 
tlkeir  milnners  arid  addrc^., 

-'  liCt  th«  gertnihc  patriots  theft  ftru^le,  t^rhunremit- 

fiii^  firmnefi,  agaihfl:  prejudice,  inrdmencc,  fedu(^ion  j 

attd  let  then*  nbt  rfif^ait  of  crtttrfrig^  vldorious  out  of  a 

*Drtfli<ft  irt  which  rhdi"  tlrtue  hath  engaged  them.     It 

mary  perhaps  tre  atttmpted'to  lUre  theit  ihtegrhy,  by  the 

f^cious  ofitr  of  SKfmit^ing  to  Parliament  the  tVeputles 

of  America,  to*  ifegofetej  In  conjuftldn  with  rhofe  of  the 

eap4f al,  the  naiSon»l  ftipplies.     Aticl  in:  ti-uth,  fudi  are 

ifhe  eittcnf,  the  population,  the  ejcpOrtatiofis,  in  a  word 

the  importitnee  of  the  coloiries^  that  ths   Icgiflarure  of 

file  empire  canrtOt  poffibly  fuperintend  ihe^ti  with  fxiffl- 

dent  wifdom  artd  fecurityj  wtthout  being  enlightened  by 

the  details,  and  alMed  by  the  eour  fels  of  their,  repre- 

fentatives.     But  let  the    Americans  bet^ril  how  they. 

ever  empower  fttch  deputies  to-  dtckfe,  with,  fdpeft  to 

flie  jjl^operty  of  the  comriburions  of  thelt*  ccmlt^tuents.. 

Their  voices,  'fttfMe  artd.  fe"*!*.  tirould  eafily  be.overpoWi 

ered  by  the  multhtlde  of  tie  irltifh  ivpttfentatives  j 

aWd  the  Prdviiic^e^,   of  which  ehey  were  the  pfg,ati, 

^\.M  ftid-  ifhtttiftlves  loaded  in-  eohl^quence  of  this 

clWlrihg  tff  Jhti^^ilfti!  ahd  of  vdtes,  rfflth  a  (hare  of  the 

eomrfibn  bUi'tttfcn*,  grievous  dhcf:  iflequat.     The   right 

•i^,      .  C    2  Qf 


A^v    \ 


i 

\ 


if 


i^ 


(  20  y 


■■■  '!  J' 


of  fixing,  of"  appoi'tioning,  and  of  levying  their  taxes, 
Ihould,  therefore,  rclide  exclufively  in  tlie  provincial  af** 
femblies  of  the  new  world.  They  ought  to  be  peculiar- 
ly jealous  of  this  effential  right  at  this  time,  that  the  fa« 
cility  of  depriving  them  of  it,  feems  to  have  been  aug- 
mented by  the  conquefts  of  the  laft  war.        ..*,  .^    ".  ♦,. .- 

The  parent-country  hath  derived  from  her  new  ac- 
quilitions,  the  advantage  of  extending  her  filheries  and 
of  encreafing  her  connections  with  the  favage  natives. 
Yet,  as  if  all  this  were  nothing  in  her  eyes,fhe  is  incefTanto 
iy  repeating  it,  that  fhe  had  no  other  view  in  this  enlarge- 
ment of  pofTeflion  and  derives  no  other  benefit  from  it> 
than  the  giving  (lability  to  the  peace  and  fecurity  of  the 
colonies.  The  colonies,  on  the  other  hand,  contend 
that  their  lands,  on  which  their  wealth  intirely  depend- 
ed, have  funk  confiderably  in  their  value  iince  this  im^ 
menfe  extenflon  of  territory  }  that  their  population  di- 
miniihing,  or  not  advancing,  their  country  muft  be  moi*e 
expofed  to  the  ravages  of  invafion  ;  that  their  provinces 
have  found  a  formidable  rival,  the  more  northern  ones 
in  Canada,  thoie  to  the  fouthward  in  the  Floridas. 
The  Colonics  enlightened,  with  regard  to  futiire  times^ 
by  the  hiftoi*y  of  the  paft,  even  infift  that  the  militaiy 
government  eftablifhed  in  the  new  conquefts,  that  the 
numerous  troops  difperfed  through  them,  that  the  forts 
confi:ru(^ed  in  them  threaten,  one  day,  to  faften  chains 
on  countries  which  have  ilourifhed,  which  have  prof* 
pered  but  by  the  influence  of  liberty^  ,,. ; 

Great-Britain  enjoys  in  her  Colonies  all  that  autho« 
rity  which  fhe  fhould  defire.  She  hath  a  negative  oil 
all  the  laws  which  tihey  ena6t..  The  whole  of  the  exc* 
cutive  power  is  in  the  hands  of  thofe  to  whom  (he  dele- 
gates it.  An  appeal  lies  to  her  tribunal  ia  all  civil  caufes. 
It  is  her  fovereign  will  that  decides  with  refpeA  to  all 
commercial  intercourfes  which  the  Colonifts  are  permit-> 
ted  to  form  and  keep  up.     To  hang  weights  on  th^ 

yoke 


^/ 1: 


^" 


{      21 


) 


yoke  of  a  domination  fo  wifely  combined,  would  be  toC 
plunge  again  a  new  continent  into  a  chaos,  from  which 
it  hath  with  difficulty  emerged  by  the  efforts  of  two  a^es. 
of  unremitting  labour  ^  it  would  be  to  compel  the  fons  of 
toil,  who  haveclear'd  and  cultivated  it,  to  arm  themfelves 
in  defence  of  thofe  facred  rights  which  they  hold  equally 
by  nature's  charter  and  by  focial  compaiSts.     The  peo- 
ple of  England — that  people  fo  paffionately  fond  of  li. 
berty,    as  on  fome    occafions   to  have   protcfled   it  in 
regions  remote  from  their  climate  and  unknown  to  their 
intecefts,  {hall  they  abandon  thofe  fentiments  which  theif' 
glory,  their  virtue,  their  inftinft,  their  fafety,  render  it 
their  eternal  duty  to  adhere  to  ?  Can  they  fo  far  betray 
thofe  tights  which  are  fo  deaf  to  them,  as  to  aim  at  re- 
ducmg  their  brethren  and  their  children  to  flave^y^ 
Should  famous  fpirits  however  form  fo  deadly  a  con-: 
fpiracy,  and  in  an  hour  of  madnefs  and  intoxication^ 
prevail  on  the  mother^country  to  adopt  it;  what  ought 
the  refolutions  oi  the  colonies  to  be,  to  fave  themfelves' 
from  falling  into  the  moft  deteftable  dependence?    ' 

Previout  to  their  throwing  their  eyes  forward  to  tKi^ 
fubverfion  of  the  political  fyfteni,  let  them  revolve' in 
their  thoughts  all  the  benefits  which  they  derive  from' 
their  original  country.  England  hath  ever  been  -to  them 
an  out-work  of  defence  againft  the  potent  nations  o^ 
Europe.  She  hath  fervid  thetn  as  a  guide  and  a  gbverftoi'V 
to  prevent  or  to  heal  thofe  civil  difTenfions,  which  miilual 
jealoufy  and  emulation  are  too  apt  to  excite -amoiigfl* 
infant  colonies  growing  up  in  each  other's  nelgh^Ui'^ 
hood.  To  the  influence  of  her  excellent  conftitutiOnt 
are  they  indebted  for  that  peace  and  profperity  Which' 
they  enjoy.  While  the  colonies  continue  to  live  undei* 
a  rule  fo  falutary  and  fo  gentle,  they  muft  go  on-pro^ 
greffively  in  that  hdlmdlefs  career,  which  the  vigour  of 
theirl  indufiry  .ynlLiluetch  even  to  the  remoteft  tiefarts'.'' 
I  Let  thdc  lave  of  the  parent-country  however  .be  ki* 
L.  I  tended 


■1 


..^1„ 


I 


♦'I 


7 


(    ai     ) 

tendeid  with  a  ctfrtftiik  jcirioufy  rcfpc^ing  tluir  6wii  IW 
berty.  Lot  their  rigbti  be  conunually  examined,  ex* 
plaiaad,  4Arcufl*edi  let  8hcii>  xuAom  theaoiWives  t«i 
chcrlih  thoft  wbO)  03  >ctvcry  occa^cno,  rctnind  thtm  oi 
thcfe  rigjbitS)  a»  theii'  bcft  aiuienSi.  /Thit  veftbia  tmdt 
anxiouf  rpirit  bttcortitft  »ll  £ree  ftaoes  i  bot  it  is  indifpflnf^ 
able  ia  complicated  <lonftitujtionff»  irbore  freedom  ii( 
mingled  with  a  c^rtaiD  degrte  of  fufabiHiiAatiMi,  fucb  if 
r^atuiaUjr  rcAiUs  from  a  conAe£);tan  fastiaraeD  councried 
iepu'aiied  by  an  iihrncaiie  oceaa^  TUs  vigilance  mx»ft 
prote  the  fureft  guardian  of  tHai  tuiioni,  whicb  A»«i»UI 
bind  iQie();|i(^y  t^£  n\«iher^oiuua:y  «d4  har  ool^nkt 
togetbcr*  r.':  •  ■'»  I"  '3  Vot  -^— r^j.'-:  nt  v'.rrb  .'>-ri-  '^  i^t-^Jt 
Sboi^  adminiilratioiTy'  for  ever  camjioitd-oS nvph'aiiiOmt 
Hieoi  errea  in  the  fre eft  iiiatea,  attemfit  t6  augmcM  <h# 
power  of  the  crovnn,  or  tho  opulente  o£«he  capitad,  td 
Vbe  expence  of  the  colonies,  .ths^r  fliouldroppafe  aa m^^ 
tincibie  refiflance  td  fuch  uiurpxtioa.  Evtty  cacr^xeh'i 
meAC  of  govcrnmei\e  repcl'd  by  Tigorous  remonAmsiCM/ 
is  almoft  conilamly  ciieck'd}  wfaik  thofc  gfip|«aneesv  t)ut 
ipedr^fy  of  which  the  people  have  not  the  courage  to  ioilft 
Qjl,  jire  uniforrnljr  fqUcnAod  hj  xiew  o|^redions.  Nik 
Uoaf  ifk/ general  are  more  iatmnd  to.ihtA  duiii'to  think f 
l^y  baire  no  other  iddai  of  thcLlegaliCf  of^^a  poiver  ihsn 
^  w^  exeroife  of  ib.  Habituated  to  ianp^icit  ebc* 
^\tw^  the  tnoft  of  theci  become  iamiliariftjd  tQ<  tiU 
^ihnt^^  of  bbeir  partlciilar  govemmentsL^  aod  ignorant 
^f  ihtr^rue  origin  or  obJe6b  (^  civil  focifitjr^  ithcflfr  faiave  mt 
conoe^^n  of  th«  limits  of  authority.  Above '  aiA,  tn 
ft^^cfk  where  the  ptinciplds  of  legiftation  act  confounded 
VMib  jthofe  of  religioD,  oven  as  one  dxirstagant  featt,  ii 
£i»fl»c«ent  to  introduce  a  tbooiand  other,  to  mm4»  ^esdif 
d««mved,  fo  tlsMciir^  cnQBOachpicnt  of  gfuvammenl  0|petv# 
i  dom^to  ey^ry  fuCceqdiog  oncL/  Wteb  tefevcis  tb«  aftOft 
b«l^«QY.es  the  Icaft;  wUo^canjdo  tlM«noft{ic«n(d»  fh«l«aft{| 
ili&by  ihts  double  atkmfe'of.cxiedciUcy)  awl  b^fcnirtff  that 
;      ..   .  all 


.e'ba^! 


(;  23  y 


aU  the  abiibrdttits  Knd  iitf<faltici  in  linatttrt  of  r^fi^foA' 
&nd  ol  politics,  have  crept  into  the  world  to  debafe  and 
crvih  mankind  ^  happily  that  fptrk  of  toleration  fthd  bf 
lrb<rty  which  hath  hitherto  rergn'd  ih  the  £n|li(h  eolo* 
nies,  hath  prefci-v«d  iheiti  ftx>in  this  extremhy  of  t^eak* 
n«f$  and  of  mifcry.  They  feH  the  dignity  of  humm 
nature  fufficientiy  iq  vafift  oppreffion,  wer^  it  tt  the 
basard  of  their  lives. 

.  Thii  enlightened  people  kfftcnf  4^  #eH  tht^  YioUm 
meafurei  and  the  lad  appeal  tan  only  be  juftified,  wheft 
every  gentle  means  of  conciliation  hath  been  tried  iif 
vain.  They  know  alfo  that  reduced  to  the  dire  alter- 
n!^tivc  of  flavery  or  civil  war,  if  they  muft  take  up  arms 
in  defence  of  liberty,  it  is  their  dmy  to  avoid  fullyin^ 
fo  fair  a  caufi^  by  the  horrors  and  barbarities  which  are 
the  attendants  of  fedition  :  and  that  with  the  determin- 
ed purpofe  of  never  fheathing  the  fword  till  they  have 
recovered  their  fights,  they  lliotild  deem  the  re-efta- 
blifliir.cnt  of  their  original  their  eonffitutional  indcpend* 
ence,   a  fuflScient  fruit  of  their  viifloiy. 

And  in  faft  we  fhould  be  cautious  how  we  confound 
that  reiiftance  whieh  the  EngliOi  colonies  ought  to  op- 
pofe  to  the  mother-country,  with  the  fury  of  a  people 
driven  by  a  lafting  and  intolerable  opprcfllon  to  revoW 
againft  their  forereign.  When  once  the  flave  of  defpoJ 
tifm  hdth  burft  his  chains  afundar,  hath  committed  hrt 
tate  to  the  dccifion  of  the  fword,  he  is  obliged  to  maf-* 
facro  his  tyrant,  ro  exterminate  his  race  and  his  pofterl- 
ty,  to  change  tlie  form  of  that  government  of  which 
he  had  been  the  viftlm  through  fucceflive  ages.  If  he 
durft  not  do  all  thir  fooner  or  later  he  would  be  pu- 
fiiflted  for  poffciTing  btit  a  half-courage.  The  yoke  would 
HM  bade  upon  his  hesed  with  addinonal  force  and  prcf-' 
furc ;  and  the  feigned  moderation  of  hi«  tyrants  would 
jprove  hot  a  new  toil  In  which  he  would  find  himfelf 
«axtgbt  msd  entangled  forever.     Swih  u  the  ciirfe  o^ 

fa^ions 


t^'iU 


« 


*.! 


"i 


i 


T 


H 


\ 


i 


I 


(     24     ) 

factions  in  an  abfolute  government,  that  neither  prince 
nor  people  can  know,  any  bounds  in  their  refentmenty 
becaufe  they  hav(S*jaot  known  any  in  the  exercife  of  au* 
thority.  But  a  well  poifed  conftirution,  like  that  of  the 
Engliih  colonies,  carries  in  its  principles  and  the  limi- 
tations of  its  different  powers,  a  prefervative  and  anti- 
dote againft  the  evils  of  anarchy.  When  ever  the  mo- 
ther country  hath  removed  the  ground  of  their  com- 
plaints, by  re-eftablifhing  them  in  their  original  fituati- 
on,  they  fhould  reft  contented,  that  being,  on  the  whole, 
the  happieft  to  which  a  wife  people  could  juftly  afpire. 

They  could  not  embrace  a  fyftem  of  abfolute  inde- 
pendence without  burfting  the  bands  of  religon,  of 
oaths,  of  laws,  of  language,  of  blood,  of  intereft,  of 
commerce,  of  all  thofe  habitudes,  in  fine,  which  hold 
them  united  among  themfelves,  under  the  peaceful  in- 
fluence of  their  common  parent.  Who  fees  i  jt,  that 
fuch  rending  to  pieces  muft  reach  the  entrails,  the 
heart,  the  very  life  oi  the  colonies  ?  Should  the)  !iave 
the  good  fortune  to  efcape  the  fatal  extremity  of  civil 
wars,  would  it  be  an  eai'^  matter  for  them  to  agree  on  a 
new  form  of  government  ?  Was  every  colony  to  become 
a  diftindl:  and  fcparate  f^ate,  what  endlefs  divifions  a- 
mongft  them  ?  One  may  judge  of  the  reciprocal  enmi- 
ties which  would  originate  fiom  fuch  a  feparation,  by 
the  fate  of  all  focieties  bordering  on  each  other.  Should 
fuch  a  number  of  little  common-wealths,  where  the  di- 
verfity  of  laws,  the  inequality  of  riches,  the  variety  of 
poflerTions  muft  fow,  in  fee  ret,  the  feeds  of  an  oppofi- 
tion  in  interefts,  be  difpofed  to  form  a  confederated  u- 
nion,  how  adjuft  the  rank  which  each  fhould  hold  in  it, 
and  the  influence  which  each  fhould  pofTefs,  in  pro- 
portion to  their  refpedlive  "ifks  and  importance  ?  Jea- 
loufy,  and  a  hundred  other  paflioriS,  which  fo  early  di- 
vided the  wife  ftates  of  Greece,  would  not  theft  fpread 
difcord  through  a  multitttde  of  colonies^  ri^ther  aflbci- 
,  ated 


t     ^5     ) 

itcd  by  refcntiAeftt  and  indignation,  which  are  but  tfah- 
Ctoi^y  and  galling  ties,  than  h-/  the  fober  well-weighed 
J)rinciplcs  of  a  natural  and  permanent  union  ?  All  thcfe 
toitildcrations  feem  to  evince,  that  an  eternal  divorce 
fi-oin  the  capital  would  be  a  great  and  grievous  misfor- 
tune to  the  Eriglifh  colonies.  '       -  -*  ' 

One  may  g6  a  little  farther,  and  altert,  that  were  it 
In  the  pOwer  of  the  European  nations  who  reign  in  the 
licw  world  to  bring  about  this  great  revolution,  it  would 
Hot  be  their  intereft  to  wifli  it.     This  may  be  a  paradox, 
perhaps,  in  the  eyes  of  thofe  ftates  who  fee  their  colonies 
continually  menaced   by   an   invafion   at    their   doors. 
They  conclude,  no  doubt,  that  if  Englarid  was  not  fo 
ftrong  In   America,  they   would  there  enjoy   in  peace, 
thofe  riches,  which  flie  envies  and  often  raviflies  from 
them.     It  cannot   be  deriied  that  England  dei-ives  the 
influence  flit;  is  miftrcfs  of,  ci^ecially  in  the}  new  world, 
from  the  extent  and  population  of  her  northern  colo- 
nies.     It  is  they  v^ho  put  it  in  her  power   to  attack  at 
all  times,  with  advantage,  the  ifles  and  the  continent  of 
other  liations,  to  conquer  their  lands  or  to  ruin  their 
commerce.      But  let   it  be  donfidered  that  this    crown 
hath,  in  the  other  quarters  of  the  glob",  interefls  which 
day   run  counter   to  her  progrefs    in  America,  which 
may  haiAper  or*  retafd  her  enterprises  there,  which  may 
atiriih'late  her  conquefts  by  the  neceffity  of  i-eftltutions, 
■     Gut  the  knot  which  ties  old  Bi-itain  to  the  newj  foon 
Would  the  northern  colonies  alond  pofTefs  more  force 
than  they  ha^e  now  united  to  thri  mother-country.   This 
vaft  continent  fet  loofe  from  every  convention  in  Europe 
would  enjoy  .he  Kbdrty,  the  command  of  all  her  oWii 
movements.     It  would  then  bf  come  a  meafure  of  equal 
imporiancc  and  facility  for  her  tO  feize  thofe  lands  whdfe 
treafurtfs  might  fupply  what  the  mediocrity  bf  her  own 
productions  dehies  her.    Her  independent  poiltion  would 
enable  her  to  complete  the  preparations  for  invaiiou, 
^^■^  "0  bt'forc 


"--Jl^ll  i'  "^Vj*  : 


.-^i.: 


1' 


I 


(      26      ) 

before  the  rumour  of  tbexn  could  reach  oisr.,climfite% 
Her  warlike  operations  would  be  conducted  with,  am 
energy  peculiar  to  new  focicties.  She  might  chuft  hicf 
enemy,  the  field,  and  the  moment  of  her  vi^orics.  Her 
thunder  would  always  difchargc  itfelf  on  coafts  whjcrc  i]t 
was  leaft  expected,  on  feas  but  feebly  guarded  by  diAaojt 
ftates.  Thofe  countries,  for  the  dcifence  of  which  forces 
were  fent  over,  would  be  conquered  before  they  CQuId 
be  fuccoured.  They  could  neither  be  recovered  by  trea- 
ties without  great  facrifices,  nor  prevented  from  falUi\^ 
again  under  that  yoke  from  which  an  enfeebled  band 
had  delivered  them.  The  colonies  of  our  abfblute 
monarchies  would  haften,  p&rhaps,  to  acknowledge-  a 
mafter,  who  could  offer  them  no  condition  To  vexatious 
as  that  of  their  own  government  *,  or  elfe,  animated  bjr  th^ 
example  of  the  Englifh  provinces,  they  would  break  the 
chain  which  fattens  them  fo  fhamcfully  to  Europe-^f;   j 

Let  nothing  then  induce  the  rival  nations  of  England 
to  precipitate  by  their  fecret  counfels,  or  by  clandeftin<» 
fuccours,  a  revolution  which  can  only  deliver  them  from 
a  neighbouring  erjpy,  by  giving  them  at  a  diflance  one 
m-'ifh  more  formidable.  Why  accelerate  an  event  which 
xnufl  one  day  fall  out  from  the  inevitable  concurrence 
of  fo  many  others  ?  for  it  would  be  againft  the  natui^p 
of  things,  that  provinces  fubordinate  to  the  dominant 
nation  fhould  remain  under  her  empire,  after  they  hav^e 
rifen  to  an  equality  in  population  and  in  opulence. 
Thus  evei7  thing  confpires  to  that  great  difmembci'ing, 
the  precife  moment  of  which  it  is  not  given  us  to  fprcfec. 
Every  thing- leads  to  it,  the  progrefs  of  good  in  the  *iew 
hcmifphere,  and  the  progrefe  of  evil  in  the  old. 

Alas  !  the  prompt  and  rapid  decline  of  our  morals 
and  our  ftrength,  the  crimes  of  kings  and  the  calamities 
of  the  people,  muft  render  even  univerfal  that  fatal  ca* 
taftrophc  which  is  to  difunite  one  world  from  the  other. 
The  mine  is  already  prepared  under  the  foundatippsi  pi 

our 


A 


»:^VW 


7 


(    «7     ) 

our  tottering  empires ;  the  materials  of  their  deftmflioii 
are  made  up  and  accumulated  of  the  ruins  of  our  laws, 
of  the  collifion  and  fermentation  of  our  opinions,  of  the 
fubverfion  of  our  rights  which  fupported  our  courage, 
of  the  luxuiy  of  our  courts,  and  of  the  mifery  of  our 
fields,  of  the .  ineiqpiable  l^atred  which  for  ever  fubflfts 
between  thc'^  feeble, 'th6 '  HeartleiV  and  Vnwiorthy,  who 
pfiSefs  all  th«  wealthy  jind  th^  robu%pA7Y^ifti:^t^r|Kien| 
Vho  have  no  longer  any  thing  to  ible  but  their  lives.  Id 
proporti/OR  ^l^  thcrnaiionarp^JipjppW  ^tus^^'V^aken 
and  fifttc  under  each  otHef,  population  and  agriculture 
advance  in  Amcficai  th^,  arts,  tranfplanted  by  us  take 
root  there  and  will  fpeedily  flourilK ;  that  vaft  country 
flai  thig  um  uf  iretlilug  btirus-";o  flgUH'e  lints  lurn  un  am 
face  of .  ^ho  gigib^  ^^.  jpr )ij^C)arv»l>  pf  tfeft  i  Ff orj^f  O 
pofterity,  perhaps  thou  Ihall  be  more  fortunate  than  thy 
wretched  and  defpicabl^^fitherh  Pmay  this  laft  wifh  be 
accpmplipied.  and  ^o/^fple  th£  qxpirj;^  jcnciattiwijvixh 


-V   -- ^- 


•     inA—.k  lA  A  ;i  ii    J  J.  :i  ■ )  ■.;■  .■ '.  'i  /. 

.21  J  A   l"     ■^•ijibn'j^i"  I     A 


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■^M  .  .1 


^:  .,.,1  -luo  TO  8«*'."i  2«ff  W  hojj.Iiimo3jfi  haz  ipr  obr.m  •>   j 
J  A  WE§   H01M;i>H1i  B  I^S,    Wior,  in  "^di^rUld 

,;..'..^j»  .|^  RO  U  F,  a  F AR eti"' ,'■■'' 

^>   Tlic  Hiftoty  of  Sii*  GEORGE  ELl-ISON,  '^ 


UM  of  REAL 


itJ 


'      3ecoii!i  Am^icvn  .Edition  of 

*■'••* 

Tlie  Search  after  HAPPINESS, 

t    >    PASTORAL    DRAMA— And 

ARMINE  and   ELVIRA, 

,    y.^  A    Legeodai7    TALE. 


ill 


^■"i.-»     V 


-.  <« 


*e"!»^*"^7r 


^IW- 


01  ijj6< 
sfJj  'la 

ftrceii 


5S, 


A, 


-iT- 


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